Leopards pull off surprise win

2007-07-13 22:02

Potchefstroom - The Leopards have pulled off a surprise 20-17 victory against the Blue Bulls in a friendly played at Olenpark.

After trailing 14-0 at the break, the home team fought back to a 17-14 lead halfway through the second half.

Ruan Boshoff drew the scores level with a penalty four minutes later. He had the opportunity to put the Bulls in the lead with ten minutes remaining, but missed the penalty.

With the clock ticking the last seconds away the crowd, one of the largest in a long time in Potch, settled for a draw, but the Leopards started a move on their tryline with Deon van Rensburg putting a strong run down field.

The Leopards came within striking distance and when the Bulls transgressed, Corne Meyer slotted the winning penalty for the Leopards.

The Bulls rested a number of key players from their regular Currie Cup line up, but the disappointment on the faces of the players at the final whistle proved that they went to Potch to win.

Credit must go to the Leopards for a brave comeback. Springbok Lawrence Sephaka played a major role in the Leopards team and had a positive influence on the game.

The other former Springbok prop, Richard Bands in the Bulls side, was disruptive and received marching orders from the referee.

Scorers:

Leopards: tries: Bennie Adams, Werner Lessing. Conversions: Corne Meyer 2. Penalties: Meyer 2.

Blue Bulls: Tries: Rocco Jansen, Trompie Nontshinga. Convertions: Ruan Boshoff 2. Penalty: Boshoff.

- SAPA